Malappuram: IUML, the second largest
constituent of the ruling Congress-led UDF, has extended full support to Kerala Congress (Jacob) demand for a ministerial berth for its nominee Anoop Jacob, MLA.

This was disclosed by KC(J) chairman Johny Nellore after he
and Anoop Jacob, MLA, elected from Piravom constituency in the
march by-poll, met Indian Union Muslim League State President,
Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal at Panakkad Monday.

Nellore said Thangal extended his party`s full support for
Anoop Jacob`s ministership and described as just IUML`s demand
for a fifth ministerial berth in the ministry. The ministerial
positions of KC(J) and IUML should not be mingled, he said.

He said there was no reason to prolong the swearing-in of Anoop and added that he expects Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to announce the swearing-in date at the earliest.

The delay in swearing-in was causing dissatisfaction among
people of Piravam as UDF had canvassed with the promise that
Anoop would be made minister after the election, Nellore said.

Thangal said IUML was confident that the party would get
the fifth ministerial berth.

IUML has been pressing for the fifth minister ever since
the UDF Government came into power last year.
KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala had recently stated
that the KPCC leadership meeting and Political affairs
committee meeting at Thiruvananthapuram on April 3 would
discuss the IUML`s demand.